On March 8, 2017, U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip, reintroduced his bipartisan legislation, the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act, which would encourage the development of a robust private flood insurance market that can offer homeowners options in terms of pricing and coverage.

Property owners are currently limited by regulatory barriers to purchasing a one-size-fits-all NFIP flood insurance product, even though private policies can offer more comprehensive coverage at a better rate. This bill would remove excessive restrictions and would give states more flexibility to license and regulate private flood insurance. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) is the co-lead of the House bill, and Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Jon Tester (D-MT) will be introducing the companion Senate bill.

"Floridians and Americans across the country would greatly benefit from more choices when it comes to flood insurance policies," said Rep. Ross.  "More choices and increased marketplace competition means better coverage, more innovation, and more affordable policies for homeowners. This is especially beneficial to Floridians in central Florida and the Tampa Bay region who face threats of flooding from storms and hurricanes. I am proud to work with my good friend, Rep. Castor, on this important and pro-consumer legislation. As this bill passed unanimously out of committee and the full House last Congress, I encourage my colleagues in the House and Senate to join me in pushing for this sensible flood insurance reform that will benefit homeowners and families."

Click here to read the full release.

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" Senate Bill Aims to Cut High Cost of Rebuilding in Flood Zones", by Laura Lightbody, The Pew Charitable Trusts – June 28, 2017
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" Despite bipartisan support, challenges remain as lawmakers wrestle with flood insurance proposals", by Ted Griggs, The Advocate – June 24, 2017
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"Sweeping Changes to Flood Insurance Program Approved by House Panel", by Brandon Ross, Bloomberg BNA – June 22, 2017
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"House Committee Adds 5 More Bills to Its Flood Insurance Reform Package", by Andrew G. Simpson, Insurance Journal – June 22, 2017
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"House panel passes flood insurance overhaul bills", by Sylvan Lane, The Hill – June 21, 2017
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"Senate Confirms New FEMA Chief Long", by Christopher Flavelle, Insurance Journal – June 21, 2017
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"Too Hot to Fly? Climate Change May Take a Toll on Air Travel", by Zack Wichter, New York Times – June 20, 2017
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"Towards a Private Flood Insurance Market", by Ike Brannon, CATO – June 20, 2017
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"Sea-Level Rise Poses a Rising Risk to U.S. Shores", by April Reese, Scientific American – June 2017 Edition
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"Flood Insurance Becoming Top House GOP Finance Priority", by Ryan Rainey, Morning Consult – June 1, 2017
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"It's been years since a major hurricane has hit US", by Keith Randall, The Item – June 1, 2017
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"What to Expect From This Year's Atlantic Hurricane Season (and Will Texas Get Walloped?)", by Jeff Balke, Houston Press – June 1, 2017
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"Nearly 7 Million US Homes at Risk of Hurricane Storm Surge Damage in 2017, New Report Shows", by Troy McMullen, Forbes – June 1, 2017
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"Flood Insurance Looks Like One Area of Bipartisan Agreement", by Andrew G. Simpson, Insurance Journal – May 30, 2017
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"Ominous and overlooked: Back-bay flooding plagues millions", Associated Press, WTOP – May 30, 2017
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"Natural disasters don't exist but natural hazards do", by Martin Ras, United Nations Development Programme – May 18, 2017
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"Time to Build Flood Resilient Infrastructure", by Joel Scata, National Resources Defense Council – May 18, 2017
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"Reforms prove value of flood policies", Op Ed By Rachael Lemaitre, Newsday – May 18, 2017
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" Not too late to stop dangerous sea rise", by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, The Jamestown Press – May 18, 2017
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"Sea level rise will double coastal flood risk worldwide", by Damian Carrington, The Guardian – May 18, 2017
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"Trump should invest in America's natural infrastructure", Op Ed by Collin O'Mara, The Hill – May 17, 2017
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"Florida's private flood insurance market is a template for the country", By Christian Camara, Opinion Contributor, The Hill – May 16, 2017
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"Florida Sea Level Rise & Unchecked Coastal Developments", by Cynthia Shahan, Clean Technica – May 14, 2017
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"California sea levels may rise higher than expected", The Weather Network – May 14, 2017
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"Insurance Regulators Exploring Ways to Protect Consumers in Age of Big Data", by Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU, ARP, Insurance Journal – May 11, 2017
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"Hurricane season is upon us: what's ahead for 2017", by Sam Boyer, Insurance Business – May 10, 2017
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" House GOP to unveil 5-year flood insurance bill", by Sylvan Lane, The Hill – May 10, 2017
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"NWS to start issuing official storm surge warnings", by Cristina Mendez, NBC – May 10, 2017
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"Rising Sea Levels and The Lacking Fight to Combat Them", by Natalie Wickstrom, Paste Magazine – May 9, 2017
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"NFIP reforms encouraged to demonstrate true flood risk", by Gloria Gonzalez, Business Insider – May 8, 2017
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"Integrating climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction", by Walid Ali, UN Development Programme – May 5, 2017
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"Debate over saving NFIP heats up in Washington", by Ted Bunker, The Insurance Insider – May 4, 2017
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"Sea-Level Rise Will Send Millions of U.S. Climate Refugees to Inland Cities", by Marlene Cimons, Alternet – May 4, 2017
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"Mississippi Urges Residents to Invest in Flood Insurance", Insurance Journal – May 4, 2017
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"Historic Flooding Far From Over: Hundreds of Roads Closed and Vital Waterways Shut Down", by Pam Wright and Ada Car, The Weather Channel – May 4, 2017
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"Problems from Hurricane Sandy prompt Christie calls for private flood insurance", by Jonathan D. Salant, NJ.com – May 3, 2017

"Resiliency, mapping and consumer choice changes recommended for National Flood Insurance Program", Canadian Underwriter – May 3, 2017
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"GAO calls for comprehensive reform of National Flood Insurance Program", Financial Regulation News – May 2, 2017
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"Why the Federal Flood Insurance Program is $24.6 Billion Under Water", by Eric Pianin, The Fiscal Times – April 28, 2017
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"Arctic warmest it has ever been between 2011 and 2015", Energy Live News – April 27, 2017
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"Rising Sea Levels Will Hit California Harder Than Other Places", by Anne C. Mulkern, E&E News, Scientific American – April 27, 2017
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"Miami Beach moves toward new construction standards for sea level rise", by Francisco Alvarado, The Real Deal – April 26, 2017
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"Will Sea-Level Rise Kill Coastal Florida's Housing Market?", by Leon Kaye, Triple Pundit – April 26, 2017
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"Rising Seas Claiming California's Coast Faster Than Scientists Imagined", by Julie Cart, KQED News – April 26, 2017
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"Congressional Budget Office predicts future claims, expenses will squeeze National Flood Insurance Program", Financial Regulation News – April 25, 2017
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"70% of overall Hurricane Matthew loss uninsured: Aon Benfield Artemis – April 25, 2017
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"2.5 Million Miamians Could Become Refugees Due to Sea-Level Rise, Study Says", by Jerry Iannelli, Miami New Times – April 25, 2017
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"Hurricane Matthew breaks records, Aon report shows", by Denny Jacob, Property Casualty 360 – April 24, 2017
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"Vanishing ocean floor in the Florida Keys worsens risks from sea rise, study finds", Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald – April 20, 2017
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"NFIP restructuring needed as sea levels rise", by Gloria Gonzalez, Business Insurance – April 19, 2017
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"Antarctica's massive lakes, rivers, and streams could help us understand rising sea levels", by Alessandra Poteza, The Verge - April 19, 2017
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"How to Reduce Risk from Extreme Weather Events", by Robert Glasser and Petteri Taalas, The Huffington Post – April 19, 2017
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"As sea levels rise, where will all the people go?", by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Popular Science - April 17, 2017
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"Global Warming Could Make Hurricane Forecasting More Difficult, Study Suggests", by Jonathan Belles, The Weather Channel – April 12, 2017
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"Sea-level rise in California could be catastrophic, study says", by Kurtis Alexander, SF Gate – April 12, 2017
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"Antarctica's Sleeping Ice Giant Could Wake Soon", by Jane Qiu, Scientific American – April 12, 2017
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" How can cities double down on the climate change fight? Three experts share ideas" by Audrey Wachs, The Architect's Newspaper – April 12, 2017
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" Flood Insurance: Pricier This Year, and May Go Higher", by Ann Carrns, The New York Times – April 7, 2017
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"2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Calls For Less Activity Than 2016", by Jon Erdman, Weather Underground – April 6, 2017
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"Today's hurricanes kill way fewer Americans, and NOAA's satellites are the reason why", by Mark D. Kaufman, Popular Science – April 6, 2017
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"Greenland's Coastal Ice Caps Have Melted Past The Point Of No Return", by Dominique Mosbergen, The Huffington Post – April 6, 2017
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"Miami Fights Against Sea Level Rise", by Amanda Ruggeri, BBC News – April 4, 2017
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" Preparing for the Future Using Lessons From Hurricane Sandy", by David W. Dunlap, New York Times – April 4, 2017
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" Save National Flood Insurance by Investing in Nature", by Joshua Saks, Special to Morning Consult – April 3, 2017
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"How Climate Change Affects Humans: Mental Health Harmed By Global Warming", by Juliana Rose Pignataro, International Business Times – March 30, 2017
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"Rising Sea Levels Could Decimate Southern California Beaches by 2100", by George Dvorsky, Gizmodo – March 28, 2017
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" Red Cross Develops Innovative Mechanism To Predict & Prepare For Flood Risks", by Joshua S. Hill, Clean Technica – March 28, 2017
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"Trump Slashing Funding To National Flood Insurance Program Can Cause Rates To Go Up", by Craig Casazza, Forbes – March 28, 2017
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"Gov. Edwards urges White House to 'carefully consider' budget cuts that could threaten disaster recovery, prevention", by Elizabeth Crisp, The Advocate – March 22, 2017
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" Reps. Royce, Blumenauer introduce bill to reform insurance for repeatedly flooded properties", Financial Regulation News – March 21, 2017
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"California May Exit Federal Flood Program, According to Reports, Insurance Journal – March 21, 2017
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"California Explores State-Run Flood Insurance Program", by Amy Quinton, Capital Public Radio – March 21, 2017
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"Reforms prove value of flood policies", Special to Newsday, by Rafael Lemaitre, Newsday – March 18, 2017
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